Playing for Love (Summer Beach Vets 1) - Escape Down Under by H.Y. Hanna Read Free Book Online Page A

time to give them a coat of nail polish? Working quickly, Sara launched into an express pedicure. Twenty minutes later, she sat back and admired the bright coral polish on her toes. Carefully, she slipped her feet into the wedges, so as not to smudge the polish. She was just standing up and surveying herself in the mirror again when she heard the doorbell ringing.
    He was here.
    Her heart jumped and began racing. Stop it , Sara admonished herself. You’re acting like a teenager going out on her first date! Taking a deep breath, she left her room and walked into the living room as calmly as she could. Ellie was there, chatting with Craig by the open door, but they both looked up as she entered.
    Sara saw Craig’s eyes darken as he looked at her and felt a thrill of pleasure. There was nothing in the handsome vet’s eyes but pure, uncomplicated male admiration. After the humiliation she had suffered back in L.A., it was like a balm to her soul. She barely heard Ellie’s wolf whistle as she went up to join them in the doorway.
    “You look fantastic, coz,” said Ellie.
    “Thank you,” murmured Sara, although her eyes were on Craig. He looked fantastic, she thought. He was wearing a white linen shirt, untucked, over beige chinos. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled back to show his tanned forearms and the collar was unbuttoned to reveal the strong column of his neck and a glimpse of his muscled chest. The clothes were loose and casual but they did nothing to hide the power in his toned physique.
    “Have a good time,” said Ellie as she ushered them out.
    The door shut after them and then it was just the two of them standing in the street. Twilight was gathering and the street lights glowed softly. Sara felt her old shyness returning and she found that she couldn’t look at him.
    “Ellie beat me to it but… you look beautiful,” said Craig.
    Sara blushed, then she was annoyed with herself. Honestly, this was worse than when she went on her first date in her teens! She cleared her throat and said, “Thank you.”
    “Will you be okay walking in those?” asked Craig, glancing at her wedges.
    “Oh… yes, they’re very comfortable.”
    “Well, it’s not too far anyway.” He put a light hand under her elbow, his touch sending a tingle through her.
    They started down the street together, walking in a companionable silence for a while, until Sara remembered something:
    “Did you manage to contact the Beagle’s owner?”
    Craig shook his head. “Not yet. We’ll keep trying.”
    “I was thinking of popping in to see him this afternoon,” said Sara. “But then I called the animal hospital to check if it was okay and it sounded so busy, I decided you probably didn’t need the extra hassle.”
    “It wouldn’t have been a hassle.” His smile was warm. “But yeah, things are a bit chaotic this week. Matt, one of the other partners, is away, and Dan is overseeing the treatment of a blowfly infestation at a sheep station out in the hinterlands. Of course, things are always busier in the summer too. People are out doing stuff with their dogs—or leaving them in backyards—so accidents and injuries are more likely to happen; it’s paralysis tick season; cats are more active… not to mention the wildlife that often gets brought in.”
    “Is there just the three of you?” asked Sara.
    “We’ve just had a new vet join the practice. Charlie—Charlotte—she’s newly qualified but she’s very good. Has a great way with people, which is just as important, you know, as being able to handle the animals,” he said with a wry smile. “She was on a course the last couple of days, but she’ll be back on Monday. And hopefully Dan too.”
    They had just passed the animal hospital and were approaching the end of Beach Road. Instead of going down the rickety wooden steps to the beach, Craig led Sara past the open view to the rambling bungalow at the very end of the street. A crooked wooden sign hung from a post beside